Combined fuse and switch structure



p 1942- H. E. MALONE 2,295,589

COMBINED FUSE AND SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 Patented Sept. 15,1942 2,295,589

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED FUSE AND SWITCH STRUCTURE Homer E.Malone Milwaukee. Wis, minor to Perle: Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., acorp ration of Wisconsin Application January 8, 1941, Serial No. 373,5641: Claims. (01. 200-114) This invention relates in general to combinedof the improved fuse and switch mechanism refuse and switch structuresand the principal obside in certain novel features of construction, iectof the invention is to provide a new and arrangement and combination ofthe various improved fuse and switch mechanism combined elements andparts which will be hereinafter in a housing as gunitary structure. morefully described, particularly pointed out in A further object is toprovide a combined fuse the appended claims, and illustrated fully inthe and switch mechanism and housing therefor in accompanying drawing,in which:

which access to the fuseis prevented until the Fig. 1 is a fullperspective view of the comswitch has been moved to the "01! position.bined fuse and switch housing structure em- Another object is to providea combination fuse bodying the invention;

and switch structure in which the switch is pro- Fig. 2 is a crosssectional side view of the fuse vided with three different positions;one in which and switch structure and housing therefor;

the switch is on"; a second in which the switch Fig. 3 is a bottom viewof the structure showis oif"; and a third in which the switch is "olfing the switch elements in the off" position;

and the fuse is rendered accessible. Fig. 4 is a similar view with theswitch elements An additional object is to provide an improved shown inthe on position; while fuse and switch housing or casing in which a Fig.5 is a perspective view of all of the elepart of the housing is utilizedto enclose the fuse ments embodying the fuse and switch structure torender it inaccessible and also serves as the shown in extendedrelationship. means for actuating the switch mechanism. Referring nowparticularly/ to the drawing, the A further object of the invention isto provide various switch elements are arranged within a a compactunitary structure of the fuse and hollow casing or housing [formed intothe shape switch elements having a minimum number of illustrated, andconstituted preferably of some parts together with a housing comprisinga base molded plastic insulation material. The hollow portion forenclosing the switch elements and a open end of the housing 5 may beenclosed by cover portion enclosing the fuse. an insulating plate 6 andthe whole structure It is customary in many cases to provid a supportedin any desirable position by means of metal switch box having a hingedcover thereon, screws or bolts passing through holes I on oppowhichswitch box encloses a screw type fuse supsite ends of the housing 5. Thehousing 5 is ported in a receptacle. Inaddition, aline switch formedwith a flat supporting base portion 8 is included in the box having ahandle therehaving a cylindrical barrier portion 9 formed throughwhereby the line switch conductors are integral therewith and projectingoutwardly opened and closed by manipulation of the hanfrom the surfacethereof. Positioned within the die. Many times when a fuse is blown andis cylindrical portion 9 and having its bottom surremoved and a new oneinserted, the person peras face resting against the supp r n base 8 is aforming the operation comes into contact with metal fuse recept or shellIll adapted to re-' the exposed terminals of the line switch. and isceive in screw threaded relationship therewith negligent aboutdisconnecting the line switch a fuse plug ii of well known construction.The when such a fuse replacement is made. The opcenter terminal of thefuse plug ii is'adapted to eration is thereby attended with some danger.40 establish electrical contact when screwed into In certain othercases, if a fuse is blown due to receptacle II, with the head of a screwI! which a short circuit in the line and the line switch P j through a png in the "S pp t is not thrown to open position, the insertion of baseI into the hollow portion of the housing 5. a new fuse causes itsblowing while the operator A metal fuse enclosing and switch operatinstill has it in'his hand. It is accordingly an obknob or member II ofthe same general cylinject of this invention to obviate the foregoingdrical shape as the barrier 8 fits snugly over the dangers to anoperator when renewing a fuse, barrier 9 and serves to enclose the fuseII. The by providing an arrangement in which access to knob I3 isarranged to project fbrwardly from the {use plug 15 prevented whil thlin switch the base portion 8 of the housing 5. The barrier is in aclosed position. In accordance with the portion a of the housing 5electrically insulates above, a further object is to provide acombinathe inside surface of the operating knob it from tion switchactuating member and fuse cover as the fuse element i I and fuse shellin. In order a single unitarycombination instead of separate toestablish electrical contact with the fuse relementsaspointed out.ceptacle It a contact plate is arranged to The foregoing and otherobjects and features rest in contact with the bottom of the fuse reheadof screw I2 which is in contact with the center contact of the fuse plugII, from the contact plate I4, an insulating washer I8 is interposedtherebetween in the bottom of the fuse receptacle I8. The foregoingelements, except for the fuse plug II, are all held in assembledrelationship within the cylindrical barrier portion 8 of the housing 8by means of the screw I2.

Arranged on the opposite side of the supporting base 8 within the hollowportion of housing 8 is a switch centering disc or member I8 preferablymade of some insulation or ceramic material, having shoulder portions 28which are adapted to interfit with the opening I8 in the fuse receptacleI8,and opening II in the supporting base 8. The switch centering memberI8 is also provided with a projecting and recessed portion 2I adapted tofit over a portion of the contact bracket I5 to securely hold it in itsassembled position. The opposite side of the switch centering member I8is formed with a series of raised and recessed portions 22 which serveas the switch positioning or centering means. The switch centeringmember I8 is confined in its position by means of a protruding portion28 formed integral with and projecting rearwardly as a continuingportion of the barrier 8 on the front of the supporting base 8. Passingthrough the supporting base 8 and arranged on opposite sides of theouter surface of barrier 8 and the extending portion 28 are a pair ofslots 24 and 25 which are slightly wider than the thickness of theoperating knob I8. Theend of each slot 24 and 25 is arranged withslightly wider open ings 28 and 21 respectively, which enlarged openingsare adapted to receive forked projections 28 and 28 (see Fig. 5) whichare formed integral with the inner end of the operating knob I8. Theforked members 28 and 28 are slightly off set from the plane of thesides of the operating knob I8 so that they may be inserted freely inthe openings 28 and 21, and when the operating knob I8 is rotated theoffset portion of each fork engages the bottom side of the supportingbase 8 and holds the operating knob I8 locked onto the base 8. It isseen that only when the operating knob I8 is rotated to a position wherethe forked elements 28 and 28 register with the openings 28 and 21 canthe operating knob I8 be removed from the base 5 to render the fuse IIaccessible.

One of the switch elements of the device comprises a fiat contact plate88 having a tongue portion 8I positioned within a recessed centralportion of the switch centering member I8. The contact plate 88 has ascrew threaded extension centrally located which is adapted to receivethe threaded shank portion of the screw I2. When the head of screw I2 istightened into the contact plate 88 all of the elements I8, I4, I8, I8and 88 are securely clamped together to the supporting base 8. Thesecond switch element 82 is formed out of a contact bracket 88 which ispositioned as shown in Fig. 3 at the opposite side of the housing 5 fromthe contact bracket I5. The switch elements 8I and 82 are so arrangedupon the switch centering member I8 that they lie in the same plane anddiametrically opposite each other. A contact bridEing member 84 forbridging the switch elements 8I and 82 and formed of some brass materialinto a star shape as shown is arranged for rotation upon the reducedportion of screw I2. The arms of the bridging switch member 84 arearranged to receive an insulating switch operating member 88 formedgenerally into the same shape as the switch member 84 but having a pairof oppositely disposed arms extending beyond the ends of the switchmember 84.

The ends of the insulating operating member 85 are adapted to receivethe forked ends of the elements 28 and 28 of the operating knob I8 forthe purpose of actuating the same, and to thereby bridge and unbridgethe contact elements 8I and 82 with the switch member 84. The switchmember 84 when rotated about screw I2 is adapted to snap from one of thepositions 22 of member I8 to the other. In order to provide for thissnap action a tension coil spring 81 is arranged to encircle theextended portion of screw I2 and exert a constant pressure on one sideof the switch member 84. A bearing washer 88 is preferably arrangedbetween the end of spring 81 and the operating member 85. In order toprotect the internal switching mechanism and to also enclose the same, aflat insulating plate 88 is provided which is arranged with a notchedportion at opposite ends to permit contact brackets I8 and 88 to projecttherethrough. The plate 88 at the same time engages a projection 88formed on contact bracket 88 for the purpose of holding the same in itsposition within the casing 5. Both contact brackets I8 and 88 areprovided with bent over portions which are adapted to be seated intooffset portions of the housing 8 so as to properly position the bracketsand prevent their displacement. A metal cap 88 straddles the opening ininsulating plate 88 and serves to restrain one end of the coil spring81. A snap lock washer 48 engaging a notch in the end of screw I2completes the assembly and holds the metal cap in position.

With the foregoing assembly it is seen that a simple arrangement ofelements is provided which may be readily assembled or disassembled bymerely removing the snap washer 48 whereupon each of the elements insidethe housing 5 can be removed in the sequential order as illustrated inFig. 5. By merely removing the screw I2 from threaded engagement withthe contact plate 88, the remaining elements in the barrier member 8 maybe readily disassembled.

In order to provide a connection for the external electric wires to thecontact plates I5 and 88, terminal screws H and 42 are threaded into theoffset portions respectively of the foregoing plates. To facilitate therotary manipulation of the operating knob I8 its forward edge portion isprovided with a knurled surface 48. The end of the knob I8 also has anarrow stamped thereon .hich in cooperating with suitable indicia markedupon the supporting base 8 indicates the relative position of thebridging member 84 and also the position in which the knob I8 may beremoved to render the fuse II accessible.

The electrical connections of the switch device extend over thefollowing path: from the conductor (not shown) attached to terminalscrew 4I, contact bracket I5, contact plate I4, through the fuse shellI8 which is in contact with the contact plate I4, the outer brass shellof the fuse II, through the fuse element (not shown), the center contactpost of 'fuse II, the head of screw I2, in contact therewith, throughcontact plate 88 which is in screw threaded engagement with the screwI2, switch contact point 3| of plate 38, through oppofltely disposedarms ofthe contact bri in member 34 to switch contact plate 32, contactbracket 33, and out through the conductor of the hot" side of the lineattached to terminal screw 42.

In this circuit path it is seen that the switch positioning disc I! isindead.

Under ordinary conditions the switch device is mounted in a horizontalposition so that the operating knob i3 projects horizontally from itsmounting plate 6 and in a position where it is readily visible andaccessible for mutual manipulation. When serving in the capacity of acombination line switch and fuse holder the hot line feed wire isconnected directly to the terminal screws 42 and the "load" wire isconnected to screw 4|. When it is desired to connect the line circuit tosome load for example, the operating knob I3 is grasped and rotated in aclockwise direction one step from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 toa position where the indicating arrow 44 on the top of operating knob l3points to the designation on stamped on the supportingbase 8. The manualrotation of operating knob l3 carries along with it the forkedextensions 28 and 29, which being in detachable engagement with the endsof switch operating arm 35 rotate the arm and with it the contactbridging member 34. The position of the switch elements after the knobI3 is rotated one step is indicated in Fig. 4. In this position of Fig.4 the contact switch plates 3| and 32 are electrically bridged by themember 34 thereby closing the circuit through the switch device inseries with the fuse element II. In this position of the operating knobi3 it is impossible to remove the knob l3 from the supporting base 8 touncover the fuse ii, since the offset portions of the forked extensions28 and 29 are now resting in a position in slots 24 and 25 where theyare locked against the underside of supporting plate 8. It is thereforeseen that it is impossible to gain access to the fuse element Ii whilethe switch device is in its circuit closed position.

In the event that the fuse II is blown, due to some circuit disturbance,or for some other reason it is necessary to remove the fuse, theoperating knob I3 is rotated clockwise one step from the switch "on"position to a position where the indicator 44 registers with the fuse"designation on the base 8. In this position the contact bridging member34 is rotated to the position indicated in Fig. 3 in which position theforked extensions 28 and 29 register with the enlarged slotted portions26 and 21 which are large enough to readily permit the forks to passthrough the slots and out of engagement with the switch operating arm35, whereupon the operating knob i3 is readily disassociated from the,fuse II to uncover the same for replacement or other purposes. In thisposition of the contact bridging member 34 no circuit is establishedacross the switch contact plates 3| and 32 so that the fuse and otherelements of the switch are not electrically alive and the danger ofaccidentally receiving a shock by coming in contact with them isobviated.

In case it is desired that the switch device be rotated from its circuitclosing position to its circuit opening position without removing the:

operating knob I3 or uncovering the fuse ii the operating knob l3may berotated ounter-clock wise from the on position to a position where theindicator 44 registers with the of f" indication on the supporting plate8. In this position the forked extensions 28 and 29 rotate the switchoperating arm 38 in a counterclockwise direction to where the bridgingarm 34 is out of contact with the contact plates 3| and 32. Thisposition is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 but with the switchoperating arm 35 positioned 90 degrees counterclockwise from thatillustrated. In this switch off position the operating knob I3 is notremovable from the supporting base 8 since the offset forked extensions28 and 29 are now resting on the underside of supporting base 8 wherethey prevent the removal of. the operating knob l3.

From the foregoing it is seen that the switch device is adapted to beoperated to three different positions, one in which the switch device isin circuit on" position in which the fuse is inaccessible, a secondposition in which the device is in switch off position and in which thefuse is also inaccessible, and a third position in which the switch isin off position and at the same time arranged so that the fuse isreadily accessible without danger of coming into contact with any live"portions of the switching mechanism. a

It is desirable that the contact bridging member 34 establish electricalcontact or disconnect itself from the switch contact plates 3| and 32with some degree of snap action in order that a quick circuit break ormake is provided to minimize arcing conditions. It is also desirablethat the rotation of the operating nob l3 to each of the three positionsdescribed be such that it is centered or snapped correctly in each ofthe positions and not half way between them. The coil spring 31 servesto provide this snap action by urging the switch operating arm 35 andthe associated contact bridging member 34 in slidable relation with thebottom surface of the switch positioning disc I9} Since this disc I9 isprovided with a series of diametrically positioned switch centerprojections 22 separated by raised portions, the bridging member 34 isaccurately centered in the position to which it is rotated at eachoperation. The resiliency of the spring 31 and the sloping sides of theprojections 22 combine to perform the stated function.

The switch device utilizes standard fuses II and fuse shells l0 andother elements and is arranged so that all of the various parts'are incompactrelationship and readily assembled. The switch operatingmechanism is likewise readily accessible for observation and constructedruggedly so as to function indefinitely and in a reliable manner.

The invention while illustrated in its preferred form as a switch deviceis capable of expression in various modifications readily comprehensibleby those skilled in the art, and it is therefore desired that theinvention be not limited to the precise structure illustrated anddescribed but only within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch device,'a housing including a v supporting base, afusereceptacle arranged at the front of said supporting base and aswitching mechanism at the rear thereof, an operatinaccessible andhaving a portion extending through said base into engagement with saidswitching mechanism, an insulating barrier projecting from said base andarranged between said fuse receptacle and said operating knob, saidinsulating barrier having a portion extending through said supportingbase into said housing for supporting the switching mechanism therein,and cooperating means on the supporting base and the portion of theoperating knob projecting through said supporting base for detachablysecuring said operating knob to said housing in operable relation withsaid switching mechanism.

2. In a switch device, a switch housing includin a supporting base, afuse receptacle arranged at the front of the supporting base andprojecting therefrom, a switching mechanism arranged at the rear of saidsupporting base and within said housing, an insulating barrierprojecting from said supporting base around said fuse receptacle, anoperating knob on said supportin base enclosing said fuse receptacle andsurrounding said insulating barrier, said operating knob having meanspassing through said supporting base for engaging said switchingmechanism to operate the same, and a. unitarymeans for holdin said fusereceptacle and said switching mechanism to said supporting base.

3. In a switch device, a housing including a supporting base, a fusereceptacle arranged at the front of said supporting base, switchingmechanism arranged at the rear of said supporting base and within saidhousing, said switching mechanism including contact means and a circuitbridging member for said contact b means, terminal connecting means forsaid contact means arranged within said housing, an insulating memberfor retaining said bridging member in contact opening and closingposition when actuated thereto, and single means extending through saidsupporting base for securing said fuse receptacle, said contact means,said bridging means, said terminal connecting means and said insulatingmember in assembled relationship.

4. In a switch mechanism, for an electric circuit, a housing including asupporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged upon the front of saidsupporting base and outside said housing, switching mechanism arrangedupon the rear of said supporting base inside said housing, a rotatableoperating knob enclosing said fuse receptacle and having projectingmeans thereon extending through said supporting base into engagementwith said switching mechanism for operating the same to circuit openingand circuit closing positions, said switching mechanism comprising,stationary switch contact plates and a contact bridging member actuatedby the operating knob, means on said supporting base for insuring thecentering of said bridging member and for pro- 'viding snap action as itis moved from one position to the other, means for preventing theremoval of the operating knob from the fuse receptacle when theoperating knob is rotated to circuit opening or circuit closingpositions, and means on said supporting base to permit the removal ofthe operating knob from the base to uncover the fuse receptacle when theoperating knob is rotated to a third position.

5. In a switch mechanism for an electric circuit, a housing including asupporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged upon the front of saidsupporting base, switching mechanism arranged upon the rear of saidsupporting base, a rotatmechanism comprising stationary switch contactable operating knob enclosing said fuse receptacle to render it lo andhaving projecting means thereon passing through said supporting baseinto engagement with said switching mechanism for operating the same tocircuit closing and circuit opening podtions, said switching plates andabridging member engaged by the projecting means of the operating knob,means on said supporting base to provide snap action to the movement ofsaid bridging member and to center the bridging member accurately in theposition to which ithas been operated, cooperatingmeans ontheoperatingknobandthesupporting base to prevent removal of the operating knob fromthe supporting base while the switching mechanism is in circuit closingposition, and means on said supporting base to permit removal of theoperating knob from the supporting base and render said fuse receptacleaccessible when the switching mechanism is in circuit opening position.

6. In a switch mechanism for an electric circuit, a supporting base. afuse receptacle and a fuse element therein arranged on one side of saidsupporting base, switching mechanism arranged on the other side of saidsupporting base, said switching mechanism comprisingzs pair of switchcontact plates and a bridging member, means for operating said bridgingmember into circuit closing and circuit opening relationship with saidpair of switch contact plates, one of said switch contact plates beingformed integral with a wire terminal member arranged on the rear of saidsupporting base, means for holding the other of said switch contactplates to the rear of said supporting base, said holding meanscomprising a screw member passing through said supporting base and inelectrical contact with said other switch contact plate and with saidfuse element, a disc member arranged in electrical contact with saidfuse receptacle and having an extension formed thereon passing throughsaid supporting base to the rear side thereof constituting a wireterminal member, and insulating means interposed between said discmember and said screw member, and between said pair of switch contactplates.

'7. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported onsaid base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of thebase to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on thebase and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, a movablecover for covering the fuse, said cover being associated with meansextending from thefront of the base through the base to the rear thereoffor actuating said switching mechanism upon movement of said cover.

8. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported onsaid base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of thebase to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on thebase and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, a movablecover for covering the fuse. and lug means attached to said cover andlocated at the rear of said base, said lug means being constructed andarranged to actuate said switching mechanism and'to maintain said coverin place.

9. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported onsaid base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of thebase to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on thebase and located at receptacle supported on said and means forpreventing removal of the cover without moving said switch to openpodtion, said means including lug means attached to the cover andextending through the base for maintaim- 'ing said cover in place andactuating said switching mechaniln.

10. Inafusedswitch,asupportingbase.afuse fuse opening accessible fromthe front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechajnism mounted on the base and located at the rear thereof so as to be.le, a rotatable cover for covering the fuse, said cover being associatedwith means extending from the front of the base through the base to therear thereof for actuating said switching mechanism upon rotation ofsaid cover. 7

ii. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported onsaid base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of thebase to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on thebase and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, arotatable cover for covering the fuse and having lug means engaging thebase at its rear for mainand having a.

base to permit fuse replacement,- a switching mechanism mounted'on thebase and'located atthe rear thereof so as to be inle.,a roe tatablecover for covering said fuse and having means extending from the frontof the base through the base to the rear thereof for actuating saidswitching mechanism, means associated with said extending means fortheme: of

the base to maintainthecover in place, the base being formed with a slotcooperating with the last mentioned means to permit withdrawal of thecover when it is turned to a position causing the switching mechanism tobe in-open position. 13. In a fused switch, a base, a fuse receptaclemounted on said base and having a fuse opening pivoted to said stud andadapted for movement taining the cover in place, said lug means beingconstructed and arranged to transmit rotary between circuit making andcircuit breaking positions, a rotatable cover for said fuse receptacle,

and means-for transmittingrotary movement of said coverto said switcharm. a

- v H HOMER E.

' movement of the cover tosaid I 12. Ina switch, a aipporting s areceptacle supportedon said base and having a) fuse opening efrom thefront ofthe

